Benin: Celtiis opens a new digital era with Play Pass

Celtiis and Semoa launched this Thursday at the headquarters of the mobile operator in Cotonou the Play Pass mini-app, integrated into the super-app WAA. The partnership aims to democratize access to major digital entertainment platforms in Benin, without a bank card and directly via mobile.

Celtiis held this Thursday at its headquarters in Cotonou the official launch of Play Pass, a mini-application integrated into its super-app WAA. Born from a strategic collaboration with the fintech Semoa, this application is designed to simplify the purchase of subscription codes for major entertainment platforms, without a bank card.

‘Today marks a new milestone in our digital evolution with the official launch of the Play Pass mini-app’, said Maxime Ulrich Fado, head of the Commercial Development and Partnerships Department at Celtiis Cash.

Designed as a natural extension of the WAA super-app, already available in the main download stores, the solution aims to enrich the operator’s digital ecosystem. ‘Play Pass is progressively enriching our ecosystem with diversified services, in order to offer a complete experience to our users’, he added.

The stated ambition is clear: to enable users to purchase subscription codes for platforms such as Netflix, Spotify, Xbox, PlayStation, or Amazon, directly via their mobile. ‘Our ambition is clear: make digital more accessible, more convenient and closer to our users. Play Pass is the freedom to entertain yourself simply, directly from your mobile.’

A simple and integrated solution

In detail, Play Pass runs on the WAA super-app, which already centralizes several services: e-commerce, school fee payments, digital services. “Play Pass is an integrated application within our super-app that makes it easy to access your digital entertainments”, it is explained.

The user journey is designed to be smooth: account login, platform choice, amount selection, validation via a personal code: “The code is generated instantly”. All purchases are then stored in a secure space with a detailed history. One of the main advantages highlighted remains the absence of a bank card: “Play Pass thus allows access to digital entertainment without a bank card, solely via your mobile account.”

A response to growing demand

The developer of the application, SEMOA, a fintech that has been on the market for ten years, recalled the origin of the project: “We developed Play Pass to respond to a strong demand: many people want to buy codes for Netflix or PlayStation, but do not always have access to a bank card”, explained Auric Behanzin, representative of the CEO. “This project was born from this on-the-ground reality. We thank Celtis for the trust placed and wish this initiative every success,” he insisted.

Gaming as a growth driver

The launch also mobilized the e-Sport ecosystem. Médard Djikéte, president of the Benin Federation of Electronic Sports, praised the initiative: “E-Sport encompasses all organized video game competitions. It is a rapidly expanding sector with considerable economic potential.”

For him, Play Pass constitutes “a real opportunity for gamers: to facilitate the purchase of credits and simplify access to the platforms”. Before expanding his remarks: “It is not just an app for gamers, but a solution for everyone.”

Pricing, limits and security: details

The Q&A session provided several clarifications. The codes purchased remain accessible in the personal space and have no expiration date. “No. The codes remain valid as long as they are not used.” Regarding high amounts, especially for purchases on Amazon, there are limits: 2 million FCFA per transaction and 10 million FCFA over a 30-day period.

Regarding pricing, including a code at 13,000 F deemed high by some participants, the officials remind that “the amount displayed in the application is the exact amount that will be debited”, while mentioning “a consideration (…) to improve readability”.

Finally, on security: “Each payment requires validation via the user’s personal code. The amount displayed before confirmation exactly corresponds to what will be debited.” With Play Pass, Celtiis confirms its ambition to build an integrated and inclusive digital ecosystem, in line with the practices of a connected youth and a market in rapid transformation.

How to buy your subscription code on WAA?

* Download WAA from the Play Store or App Store, then sign in ;

* Go to the Play Pass mini-app within WAA ;

* Choose the desired service (Netflix, Spotify, Xbox, PlayStation, Amazon Prime Video, etc.) and follow the steps until payment.

You will receive a subscription code to use on the relevant platform.